For many years, Brandy Matous, a dietician at Denton Regional Medial Hospital, has seen many breast cancer patients struggle with their weight. In 2007, she decided that enough was enough. Her program, Pink Essentials, was created to help breast cancer survivors of all ages. Mary Martinez, a member of the group, since its creation, says without the program, life would be much harder.
“This program is absolutely wonderful” says Martinez. “Between my steroid injections and medication it’s been hard. You can gain five or ten pounds in a day if you eat three meals a day. If you eat that piece of candy then you better skip a meal,”
According to the American Cancer Society, a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing an invasive breast cancer. Breast cancer has become the most common cancer in women and the most common cancer death of women between the ages of 45 to 55. Among many risk factors, such as age, family history, and genetics, obesity has a higher significant correlation. Breast cancer patients are often treated with a drug called tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a drug that is taken orally as a tablet. It has been used for more than thirty years to treat breast cancer and “high risk” potential developers of the disease. Although, its benefit can mean the difference between life and death, patients who take this drug are prone to rapid weight gain. Among other side affects such as nausea and vomiting, the drug often leaves patients exhausted and with an insatiable appetite.
Jennifer Dudley, a nutrition specialist and volunteer of the program, says without the program, many patients would have to fight the battle alone.
“[With] breast cancer, often times, weight gain can lead to it coming back”, says Dudley. “People who are over weight or obese have a higher rate of breast cancer. We are teaching them the life style things to do…so that they don’t have a reoccurrence.”
Every week, members of the group get weighed on a tanita scale. In one step, it accurately measures their weight, body fat percent, body water percent, muscle mass, bone mass, daily caloric intake, and visceral fat. It also gives members their physique rating which allows them to monitor their progress. Based on results, members are given recommendations based on their personal nutrition needs. They are then given weekly tasks to help accomplish their goal.
In the meetings, group members participate in various activities. Sometimes, they go on outings. Sue Duffy recalls one of her favorite group sessions.
“We all went to the grocery store and started reading the labels, picking out foods that were bad for you”, says Duffy. “We then spoke to the manager to try and convince him why [his store] shouldn’t carry those food items. We had a blast!”
For many of its members, Pink Essential is more than just a program. It offers those who feel all alone, a place to go so that they can share new experiences with those who are going through the same treatments as they are. Duffy says she is grateful for the special bond they share.
“Its just people like yourself who are trying to win the battle” says Duffy.
Researchers and Scientists are currently looking for other drugs that may more efficiently treat breast cancer victims. One of the largest prevention breast cancer studies is currently under way. The program STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) was created to test whether or not a new drug called Raloxifene could better help treat patients. So far, initial results show that raloxifen is as effective as Tamoxifen
The group meets every other Tuesday at the Denton Regional Medical Hospital in Denton, Texas. Each meeting lasts approximately 3o minutes and they are free to the public.
